Mermaids are the bridge between land and sea. We are strong advocates for ocean conservation efforts all around the globe and pose as protectors to our great waters. As the mermaid community expands, so do our efforts to help the already existing groups out there helping planet earth. Get involved in an ocean conservation effort that you are passionate about, the time is now! Check out the list below and how to get involved.

• Ocean Cleanup
• Marine Animal Rescue
• Coral Reef Preservation
• Research and Development

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW and let me know your favorite ocean conservation effort or an experience you had at one!

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Ocean Clean Up

It’s estimated that 14,000 pounds of trash are thrown into our oceans every year. There are 6 huge garbage patches floating for miles in the open sea, killing wildlife.  If the videos of animals getting caught in plastic or nets boil your blood, here are some Mermaid approved conservation organizations we can all get behind!

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4Ocean

4Ocean is a 24/7 ocean clean up effort that started with two surfers. They now are organizing clean up efforts all around the world with volunteer mermaids like you and me.  You can also purchase a 4Ocean bracelet which contributes to pulling 1 pound of trash out of the ocean.

4ocean is a global movement actively removing trash from the ocean and coastlines while inspiring individuals to work together for cleaner oceans, one pound at a time.

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Project AWARE

Project Aware does many things for our environment but a unique aspect is directed toward scuba divers. The Dive against Debris movement promotes scuba diving for a cause and cleaning up debris at the bottom of the ocean.

Don’t let your dives go to waste! Grab your mesh bag, scuba gear and data card to make every dive a Dive Against Debris

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Washed Ashore

Have you ever seen art that takes your breath away? Washed Ashore creates beautiful art taken from the beach, cleaned and assembled into beautiful sculpture art promoting ocean awareness.

Washed Ashore builds and exhibits aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways and spark positive changes in consumer habits.

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Ocean Defenders Alliance

ODA is California based and focus on specific clean up from fishing nets and traps that are very dangerous to the ocean life below. With a 50 foot vessel, these guys find all sorts of nets and bring them to the surface with air.

There is “pollution” which originates at sea…such as nets and traps from ships. ODA’s goals are to reduce the creation of such pollution, remove existing deposits from marine ecosystems, and educate the public beyond simply informing them

–we seek to inspire them to become actively involved in the solutions.

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The Ocean Cleanup

Why go searching for ocean debris when it can come to you? A 20-year-old from The Netherlands started an Ocean Cleanup Project that could change the world within the next 5 years. This U shaped net moves with the waves and tides collecting trash for pick up. It’s estimated to clean up 50% of the great pacific garbage patch every 5 years.  They are also developing technology to use recycled plastic from the ocean making the cleanup self-sustainable.

Combining the cleanup with source reduction on land paves the road towards a plastic free ocean by 2050.

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Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation does a lot of great things and works at a local level. Check them out and find a chapter close to you!

Our staff of over 50 people help support our chapter network in their campaigns, a champion for policy and fight legal battles for our coasts, bring awareness to the issues facing our ocean, provide critical support for areas like accounting, technology, and HR, and raise money to make all of this happen. We have an appetite for adventure and we all share a common passion – we love and appreciate our ocean, waves, and beaches.

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 Marine Animal Rescue

We can’t forget about our finned friends! Only 4% of the ocean is unaffected by humans and most of that is suffering in some way.  These organizations focus on preventing extinction and opening our eyes to the dangerous effects if we turn a blind eye to the situation.

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Whale and Dolphin Conservation

WDC is the leading charity dedicated to the protection, research, and funding of whales and dolphins. These animals are our friends and we would hate to have a world without them.

Our vision is a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free.

Our mission is to amaze people with the wonder of whales and dolphins and inspire global action to protect them.

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Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Sea Shephard is our undercover FBI agent for oceanic life. They have been protecting our oceans since 1977 by investigating, documenting, and taking action to confront and expose illegal activities on the high seas.

By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.

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Oceanic Preservation Society

OPS helps expose illegal killing and selling of endangered species on the black market and brings awareness to the world of what is happening to our precious sea creatures.

Using covert tactics and state-of-the-art technology, our Racing Extinction team exposes the truth to empower the global community to create a movement and take action.

“My goal is to make a film that doesn’t just create awareness, but inspires people to get motivated to change this insane path we’re on.”– Louie Pslhoyos

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Fish ACt

What would a world be without fish? Industrial fishing is depleting our oceans and Fish Act is bringing awareness to the corrupted systems and what can be done about it.

Ending Overfishing from Fish Act on Vimeo.

The FishAct is an international community united in its aim to end illegal and destructive fishing practices and safeguard a future for the plentiful species in our oceans. Our approach brings together people and the benefits of modern technology to protect the oceans through civil fisheries monitoring.

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Reef Conservation

Our Coral reefs are in trouble. Due to pollution, sunscreen and global warming our reefs are rapidly dying. These organizations have created ways to help grow and cultivate the coral so our ecosystem can stay balanced.

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1000 Mermaids

1000 Mermaids focus on highly visited tourism areas where coral is in dangered. Using body casting, they create mermaid sculptures which attach to manufactured coral structures which serve as public art and an underwater eco-friendly destination for tourism.

1000 MERMAIDS PROMO from Justin Broderick on Vimeo.

Miami Body Cast has set a goal to create 1000 body sculptures made-up of a sustainable concrete which allows infant coral to adhere to it and restore Florida’s living coral reef population. Each cast will be individually handcrafted by Miami Body Cast and then strategically laid along the ocean of Florida’s east coast. Not only does this project promote eco-friendly awareness and support for the ocean, but it will also become the stage for a world-renowned snorkeling destination.

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Coral Restoration Foundation

These guys are actually making coral gardens!  The Coral Restoration Foundation uses a tree-like structure and which is tethered to the ocean floor and buoyed to a subsurface float. Coral pieces hang from these branches spaced far enough apart to grown.

We grow and outplant endangered species of coral to restore reef sites to a healthy state. Our innovative methods are cost-effective and scalable.

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Coral Reef Alliance

Coral Reef Alliance works with communities on beaches and islands to help connect them with the reefs and marine tourism. They do this with tools and education to increase involvement in their ecosystem.

CORAL recognizes that our best chance to save coral reefs is in collaboration with the people who are most closely connected to coral reefs. In partnership with local communities, we take a multipronged approach to restoring and protecting coral reefs. Our signature initiatives are:

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Research and Development

The ocean is over 70% of the earth’s surface, however, only 5% of the ocean has been explored. We have explored more of outer space than our own planet! These next organizations focus on research and development to unlock the mysteries of the ocean and keep our planet healthy and strong.

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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

WHOI scientists and engineers travel the world to help understand, explore, and educate everyone about the unexplored ocean. They tackle global questions like climate change, oil spills, and ocean acidification.

 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is the world’s leading, independent non-profit organization dedicated to ocean research, exploration, and education. Our scientists and engineers push the boundaries of knowledge about the ocean to reveal its impacts on our planet and our lives.

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THE OCEAN PROJECT

The Ocean Project is all about connecting aquairums all over the world creating a network for advancing conservation education and solutions-oriented action for our ocean.

Advance ocean conservation in collaboration with aquariums, zoos, museums, youth, and other partners in our growing global network.

Everything The Ocean Project does is based on the values of collaboration, innovation, persistence, and a respect for all people and life on our blue planet.

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Montgomery bay aquarium

Montgomery Bay Aquarium is one of the leading aquairums for research and development. They are feircely passionate about makeing the ocean a better place for a better planet.

Human survival depends on preserving the health of the ocean. Today, we’re working more effectively than ever on behalf of ocean health by integrating our strengths in science-based conservation research with policy initiatives and markets-based partnerships that are making a difference.

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Marine MegaFauna Foundation

The MMF provides strategies for government and communities in protecting endangered marine species and critical habitats. Their strategies aim to inspire, research, educate, and protect our big blue planet.

MMF works with governments and communities around the world to provide effective strategies for protecting threatened marine species and critical habitats.

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Scripps Oceanography Institute

The Scripps mission is to teach, seek, and communicate education and understanding of the oceans, atmosphere, Earth, and other planets for the benefit of society and the environment.

Adaptation will require creative engineering, scientific and social science and humanities solutions to these challenges. It also requires the extensive integration and merger of large data sets from all of these disciplines.

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There are many organizations going out and making a differance. Comment below and let me know your favorite Ocean conservation organization and why!

Make sure your love of mermaids doesn’t go to waste! Volunteer and help our beautiful earth!

Comment below and tell me your favorite organization that helps our planet, or share an experience you had at one below!